Max is a Nut!

Where Have We Been? Part 1

So I realize that I am not a very good blogger. I freely admit it. It is not that we haven't done anything since April that is worthy of blogging, it is just that we have been having too much fun to take time away to blog:) Anyway, here are some pictures of our summer. It has been great! I am actually not even looking forward to the kids going back to school! I really enjoy the laid back schedule of summer compared with the hectic school year schedule. But, alas, all good things must come to an end (until next summer!)
We started our summer with a visit from my sister Cindy and her family. We tried to wear them out with all of the fun things we do here in Oregon, but I think they could have handled more! We did everything we normally do in two weeks all in about 5 days! I don't know what their favorite part was, but I loved watching Danny scream like a girl on the tube! Or maybe that was Cindy:) We hope they come back next summer-there is more to do!
We did get in a little skiing this year. Miranda was especially excited because she now not longer needs me in the water with her to help. I was also very pleased about this! All of the girls improved, and they will hopefully get one more chance over Labor Day weekend.

Well, I better save some pictures for Part 2. Look for them soon!

Lee...Here it is...and you don't really have a big belly...At least not any bigger than mine!!!

Spring Break

So, Spring Break. It didn't exactly turn out like we planned. We always, always, always go to Brian's parent's lake house. So Saturday, I headed to the beach with Max, Miranda, Melissa, and BJ and Brian and Megan met us there after a detour to Portland. Everything was great. Sunday morning, Melissa said she had a headache, which of course I brushed off and made her get ready for church. About half way through church, Melissa's head is killing her, so Brian takes her home only to find out that she has a fever. Well, that fever did not go away until Thursday and Miranda also came down with a fever on Monday which lasted until Sunday-well after we had come home. I felt so bad for them!! They really spent the majority of their time on the couch. You would think that this would constitute a not so fun vacation, BUT, we still had a great time. With our busy schedule, it was actually nice to be stuck in the same house for the week. We watched a lot of movies and played a lot of Wii. I did take some of the kids up to Tillamook to the cheese factory one day, and we did manage to go walk on the beach and play at the park. All and all it was very relaxing and some much needed time together. Megan, Brian and I managed to not get sick, but Max did get a little fever after we got back home. Fortunately for everyone, it only lasted about 2 hours!! He is pretty pathetic when he is sick. Now we are in the beginning stages of soccer season (Sound like a disease!) Melissa is playing on a team in Springfield-yes Cindy, I gave in- and Max and Miranda are playing down here is Cottage Grove. Brian and I are coaching Max's team so that should be fun:) If you don't hear from me for a while, just assume I am driving my kids around or that I have completely lost my mind!

Okay Gina, You asked for it!

Here is Megan's foot, day 3. The circle bruise is just the opening of the pad Jared gave her to put under the wrap. That is where her ankle is supposed to be. Really, only 3 more days until spring break, anyway to speed this healing process up?? She is being a trooper, going to school etc. I am sure I would have tried to milk it a little more:)

One of these things is not like the other...

So you know when you are playing basketball and having a great time and all of the sudden when you turn, your foot stays in the same place and doesn't come with you? Well, that is what happened to Megan yesterday. Now, we have managed to be pretty healthy and accident free in our family (knock on wood) so we hardly know what to do with her. Ice, elevate, wrap? Thank you Jared for some sound advice. And thank you Megan for doing this now so you have a whole week to get better before spring break:)
PS-you know, there are less painful ways to get out of PE!

The coast

Since we had my Mom, Dad and sister Cindy here for the baptism, we tried to keep everyone entertained with a day trip to the coast.
I know the spots on Melissa's face look like freckles, but some of it is just sand. Don't ask how it got there!

My kids are pretty easy to please when it comes to the coast: just some freezing cold water to play in in the middle of the winter, some sand they can cake to every square inch of their bodies and some sticks for Max to practice his fencing skills with.
Don't let Cindy fool you, she is standing on a pretty big rock.
Everyone was worn out by the time we left. Fortunately, Dad and I stayed awake long enough to get us all safely home!

Happy 8th Birthday Miranda

We have been pretty busy lately with all things Miranda. On Feb 8th, she turned 8 years old. I can hardly believe it.

The next weekend, it was time for her baptism. She was so excited and a little anxious. She kept asking her Grandpa's if they had their talks ready.

Everything went great. Thank you to everyone who made the trip out for this special occasion.

Happy Birthday Melissa

Today is Melissa's birthday. Fortunately for her, we are far too busy on Wednesdays so she was able to celebrate early!!

We started our day seeing Paul Blart, Mall Cop (a movie that you should not put on your must see list, but Melissa liked it so that is all that mattered:) Then we were off to Hometown Buffet. I am not sure why she picked that restaurant since I have never ever taken her there, but this is what you get when you let the birthday girl make all of the decisions for the day!

Then she was spoiled with the usual presents.

Here is her new bike which she can barely ride!! I thought she was getting taller, but maybe not so much!! She does love it though, and I am pretty sure the chain will not fall off every time she tries to ride which will be a great improvement from her last bike.

I'm pretty sure she got some help with all of those candles! No wonder she got them all out on the first try:)

Another year in the record books! And the best part is now she can babysit for me when Megan is busy. Hum, I think I will have Megan babysit every Friday night and Melissa every Saturday night. This is looking better to me all of the time!!! Thank you Arlene and Tony for making the trip down, we had a great time. Also thanks to Gina!! She loves the scrapbook and even asked me to day if you were going to add next seasons pictures. I guess you are stuck since I can't scrapbook!

Happy New Year!!

I hope you all had a great start to 2009. I have been promising Miranda that I would put this on the blog for her. Sorry about the lighting, I am working with a new camcorder and still need to practice.



I have been very impressed with Miranda and her dedication to her new love. It seems like she is always practicing. I will have to take the camera to practice so you can all see what she can do on the bars. It is unbelievable!!